Author(s):

Charles ON, Essien EB and Patrick-Iwuanyawu KC

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of the combination of Cyperus esculentus (Tiger nuts) flour and Pheonix dactilfera (Date palm) flour on selected biochemical parameters in male Wistar albino rats. Thirty male Wistar rats weighing between 100-120g were grouped into six with five rats per group and each group fed with different feed formulation for twenty eight days. Group I rats (control) was given rat feed only. Group II was fed with rat feed and tiger nuts only, Group III was fed with rat feed and Dates only, Group IV was fed with rat feed and a mixture of tiger nut and Dates in ratio 1:1, Group V was fed with rat feed and a combination of tiger nuts and Dates in ratio 1:2 and Group VI rats were fed with rat feed and a combination of tiger nuts and Dates in ratio 2:1. The proximate composition of Tiger nut flour and Date palm flour showed that the Moisture content, crude protein, crude lipid, and energy value were higher in Tiger nuts as compared to Dates fruit. However Dates fruit recorded higher levels of Ash and carbohydrates as compared with Tiger nuts. The phytochemical screening showed that flavonoid, tanins, saponins, glycosides and phenols were present in both samples. The liver enzyme assay showed significant (p≤0.05) increase in Alanine amino transferase in Group III (60.80±4.6IU/L), Aspartate amino transferase in Groups VI (232.00±14.670IU/L), V (229.80±7.91IU/L) and IV (212.00±2.00IU/L) when compared with the control. However, Alkaline phosphatase significantly (p≤0.05) decreased in Groups III and VI. Albumin level increased significantly in Group VI (40.60±0.67g/l) compared with the control (34.00±1.22g/l) and total protein increased significantly in Groups III and VI. There was no significant effect on the haematological parameters and the histopathology of the liver. Findings from this study shows that the mixture of both samples is nutritionally adequate and enhanced the functionality of organs.

Pages: 1049-1054  |  1332 Views  641 Downloads

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